Bratt joins 'Private Practice' cast

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Benjamin Bratt officially joins of the cast of "Private Practice" when the U.S. medical drama returns for its fifth season, ABC said Monday.

The new season is to begin Sept. 29.

"Sam, Cooper, Charlotte and Amelia team up to save the life of their friend Pete after he suffers a heart attack, while Violet, who was in the middle of leaving Pete and LA, is nowhere to be found," ABC said in a synopsis. "Meanwhile, Addison's desire to have a baby leads her to see Jake Reilly, her recent mystery man, in a most surprising place, and Sheldon tries to help Amelia in her battle with alcohol."

Best known for his work in TV's "Law & Order," Bratt plays Jake, a character introduced as a recurring role in Season 4.

"Private Practice" stars Kate Walsh as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery, Tim Daly as Dr. Pete Wilder, KaDee Strickland as Dr. Charlotte King, Paul Adelstein as Dr. Cooper Freedman, Brian Benben as Dr. Sheldon Wallace, Caterina Scorsone as Dr. Amelia Shepherd, Taye Diggs as Dr. Sam Bennett and Amy Brenneman as Dr. Violet Turner.